Spool-type manual valve with position-adjustable lever

ABSTRACT

A manually actuated cartridge valve assembly ( 15 ) has a main body ( 31 ), a valve assembly ( 33 ), and an end assembly ( 35 ). Disposed within an internal cavity ( 107 ) of the end assembly ( 35 ) is a rotary member ( 109 ) that rotates about an axis ( 115 ) when a handle ( 29 ) is manually actuated. The axis ( 115 ) is substantially perpendicular to the axis ( 73 ) of the spool valve ( 49 ). The rotary member ( 109 ) has at least one axial end ( 117 ) that extends through the outer surface of the end assembly ( 35 ) and attaches to the handle ( 29 ). The movement of the handle ( 29 ) defines a plane of movement ( 147 ), which is selectively rotatable about the axis ( 73 ) to a desired orientation ( 149 ). A locking member ( 99 ) is selectively operably associated with the end assembly ( 35 ) to restrict rotation of the plane of movement ( 147 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to cartridge valve assemblies, and moreparticularly, to such cartridge valve assemblies requiring manualactuation.

Many off-highway vehicles, including but not limited to boom lifttrucks, have a hydraulic system which includes one or more ancillary orauxiliary hydraulic functions, such as raising or lowering a boom, orextending or retracting a boom, to control some portion of the vehicle.Many of these same vehicles require that the actuation of thesehydraulic functions be manual. As a result of this manual actuationrequirement, two types of manually actuated valve assemblies aretypically used, a manually actuated sectional valve or a manuallyactuated rotary cartridge valve (hereinafter referred to as a “rotaryvalve”).

A manually actuated sectional valve is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,434,390and 4,011,891. This type of valve typically comprises a cast iron valvebody and a spool valve. The spool valve, which extends through theentire length of the valve body, is manually actuated by a lever orhandle which pivots about an axis that is rigidly attached to the valvebody. The spool valve in the sectional valve interfaces directly withthe spool bore defined by the valve body to control the flow of fluid toor from the auxiliary or ancillary hydraulic functions. Manual actuationof the lever results in axial (or linear) translation of the spool valvewithin the spool bore. While this design has proven to be verysuccessful commercially and to work very well in many hydraulicapplications, some applications require a design that is morecustomizable with regard to port locations. Because the valve body inthe typical sectional valve is cast, the locations of the inlet andoutlet ports, as well as any other ports, such as first and secondactuator ports, are restricted to the port boss locations on the valvebody casting. If a manufacturer of a hydraulic application requiresdifferent port locations for a particular application, a new valve bodywould need to be cast. However, a new casting can be cost prohibitive ifthe volumes of sectional valves required are not very large.

Rotary valves typically comprise a spool valve within a sleeve valve,with the sleeve valve being fixedly disposed in a valve housing. Thesevalves also include a handle or knob which is rigidly connected to thespool valve. Actuation of these rotary valves is accomplished byrotating the handle about an axis which is coaxial to the axis of thespool valve. As is well known to those skilled in the art, rotation ofthe handle about the axis which is coaxial to the axis of the spoolvalve results in rotation of the spool valve about the axis of the spoolvalve. For hydraulic applications requiring greater customization withregard to port locations, many manufacturers of those applications willuse rotary actuated cartridge valves. Unlike manually actuated sectionalvalves, the valve housing surrounding the rotary valve is typicallymachined from a block of aluminum or steel. Because of the relativelylow manufacturing costs associated with machined valve housings, thecustomization issues that some manufacturers of hydraulic applicationshave with sectional valves are not a problem in the case of rotaryvalves.

However, although rotary valves have proven to be successfulcommercially and to work well in many applications, such valves havesome disadvantages when used in certain commercial applications. Onedisadvantage associated with rotary valves concerns the flow ratethrough the valve. Because of the rotary actuation, rotary valves have alower flow rate as compared to linearly actuated valves of a comparablesize. The reason for this lower flow rate is that linear actuation of avalve allows for more fluid passage openings in the valve than rotaryactuation allows.

In addition, a recent trend in commercial applications is to requirethat hydraulic components used on those applications, wherein thecomponent includes a manually actuated valve assembly, be compact.Rotary valves, however, do not offer the most compact arrangement whenmultiple valves are used, because of the rotary actuation of the valve.When multiple rotary valves are arranged in a valve housing, adequatespace must be provided between the valves to allow for manual actuationof each valve individually. Typically, the handles of valves of thistype include a lever that extends radially from the rotational axis ofthe handles. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the leverprovides a mechanical advantage in overcoming any pressure forces actinginternally to the cartridge valve that make rotation difficult. Therotary valves must be spaced so that a lever on a given valve does notintrude upon the space required for full actuation of the lever of theadjacent valve. In other words, the valves must be spaced so thatmovement of the lever of a first valve does not result in that lever“bumping into” the lever of an adjacent valve, preventing the full rangeof motion of the lever of the first valve.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amanually actuated cartridge valve which overcomes the above discusseddisadvantages of the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridgevalve assembly which is able to provide the necessary flow controlfunctions in response to a manual input.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cartridgevalve assembly with a manual input, the position of which may bevariously oriented about the cartridge valve assembly.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by theprovision of a cartridge valve assembly adapted to be disposed in avalve housing defining a cartridge bore, an inlet port, and a returnport. The cartridge valve assembly includes a main body portion and avalve portion. The valve portion includes a sleeve valve, which is fixedwithin the cartridge bore, and a spool valve disposed in the sleevevalve for axial movement therein. A spring member operably associatedwith the spool valve is used to bias the spool valve within the sleevevalve toward a neutral axial position. A cap assembly includes a capmember, which defines an internal cavity, and a manual actuation membermoveable from a neutral position, corresponding to the neutral axialposition of the spool valve, to an operating position. The cap assemblyis in sealed engagement with the main body of the cartridge valveassembly. The cap assembly is rotatable about an axis of the spool valveof the cartridge valve assembly. A locking means is selectively operablyassociated with the cap assembly to restrict rotation of the capassembly relative to the main body.

The improved cartridge valve assembly is characterized by the capassembly further including a rotary member disposed in the internalcavity of the cap member. An axis of the rotary member is substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of the spool valve. At least one axial end ofthe rotary member extends through the outer surface of the cap member.The rotary member is rotationally operable about the axis of the rotarymember to axially displace the spool valve within the sleeve valve fromthe neutral axial position to an operating axial position. The movementof the manual actuation member defines a plane of movement which isparallel to the axis of the spool valve. The plane of movement of themanual actuation member is selectively rotatable about the axis of thespool valve to a desired orientation and is restricted from furtherrotation by the locking means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified hydraulic schematic of a hydraulic systemincluding the cartridge valve assembly made in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an axial cross-section of a valve housing, and disposedtherein, the cartridge valve assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, axial cross-section of the cartridgevalve assembly of the present invention in the neutral position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 3, of theactuation assembly of the cartridge valve assembly

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse cross-section of theactuation assembly of the cartridge valve assembly taken on line 5-5 inFIG. 4

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse cross-section showing analternate embodiment of the actuation assembly of the cartridge valveassembly shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, axial cross-section of the cartridgevalve assembly of the present invention in the first operating position.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, axial cross-section of the cartridgevalve assembly of the present invention in the second operatingposition.

FIG. 9 is an exterior top view of multiple cartridge valve assemblies ina valve housing.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, axial cross-section of an alternateembodiment of the cartridge valve assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, axial cross-section of an alternateembodiment of the cartridge valve assembly shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, which are not intended to limit theinvention, FIG. 1 illustrates a hydraulic schematic for a hydraulicsystem and a cartridge valve assembly made in accordance with theteachings of the present invention. The system includes a fluid pump 11,shown herein as a fixed displacement pump, having its inlet connected toa system reservoir 13, a cartridge valve assembly, generally designated15, and an pressure-operated device 17, shown herein as a cylinder.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the cartridge valve assembly 15 is shown as a4-way, 3-position, closed-center valve. It should be clear to thoseskilled in the art, however, that the teachings of the present inventionare not limited to 4-way, 3-position, closed-center valves. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the teachings of the presentinvention could be employed on a variety of different valveconfigurations. Therefore, the teachings of the present invention willbe described in regards to a 4-way, 3-position, closed-center valve, byway of example only.

The cartridge valve assembly 15 includes an inlet port 19, a firstactuator port 21, a second actuator port 23, and a return port 25. Theoutlet of the fluid pump 11 is in fluid communication with the inletport 19 of the cartridge valve assembly 15. The first 21 and second 23actuator ports of the cartridge valve assembly 15 are in fluidcommunication with opposite ends of the pressure-operated device 17,while the return port 25 is in fluid communication with the systemreservoir 13.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the cartridge valve assembly 15 is moveablefrom its neutral position, designated in FIG. 1 by reference numeral“N”, to either a first operating position, designated in FIG. 1 byreference numeral “1”, or to a second operating position, designated inFIG. 1 by reference numeral “2”. As previously mentioned, the cartridgevalve assembly 15 is being described as a 4-way, 3-position,close-center valve. As a closed-center valve, the cartridge valveassembly 15 blocks fluid communication between the inlet port 19, thefirst actuator port 21, the second actuator port 23, and the return port25 when the cartridge valve assembly 15 is in the neutral position “N”.A spring assembly, generally designated 27, biases the cartridge valveassembly 15 into the neutral position “N”. Movement of the cartridgevalve assembly 15 from the neutral position “N” to either the first “1”or second “2” operating position is accomplished by manual actuation ofa handle member 29. When the handle member 29 is actuated such that thecartridge valve assembly 15 is moved to the first operating position“1”, the inlet port 19 is in open fluid communication with the firstactuator port 21 and the return port 25 is in open fluid communicationwith the second actuator port 23. When the handle member 29 is actuatedsuch that the cartridge valve assembly 15 is moved to the secondoperating position “2”, the inlet port 19 is in open fluid communicationwith the second actuator port 23 and the return port 25 is in open fluidcommunication with the first actuator port 21.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the cartridge valve assembly 15 includes a mainbody 31, a valve assembly, generally designated 33, and an end assembly,generally designated 35. The main body 31 includes a first axial endportion 37 and a second axial end portion 39. The first axial endportion 37 of the main body 31 is in sealing threaded engagement with acartridge bore 41 in a valve housing 43. In the figures, the valvehousing 43 is shown as a separate component of the hydraulic system.However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that thevalve housing 43 could be integrally formed with the housing of someother hydraulic component in the hydraulic system.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve assembly 33, which is disposedin the cartridge bore 41 of the valve housing 43, includes a sleevevalve 47 and a spool valve 49, wherein the spool valve 49 is disposed inan internal bore 51 defined by the sleeve valve 47. The sleeve valve 47is in threaded engagement with the first axial end portion 37 of themain body 31 of the cartridge valve assembly 15. As a result of thethreaded engagement of the sleeve valve 47 with the main body 31, thesleeve valve 47 remains fixed in position in the cartridge bore 41 ofthe valve housing 43 while the main body 31 of the cartridge valveassembly 15 is fixed in position with the valve housing 43.

The sleeve valve 47 further defines a first annular groove 55 on theouter surface of the sleeve valve 47 which is axially aligned with afirst actuator fluid passage 57 in the valve housing 43. The firstactuator fluid passage 57 in the valve housing 43 allows open fluidcommunication between the cartridge bore 41 and the first actuator port21. Disposed in the first annular groove 55 in the sleeve valve 47 is aplurality of first actuator passages 59 which provide fluidcommunication from the first annular groove 55 to the internal bore 51of the sleeve valve 47. The sleeve valve 47 also defines a returnannular groove 61 which is axially aligned with a return fluid passage63 in the valve housing 43. The return fluid passage 63 in the valvehousing 43 allows open fluid communication between the cartridge bore 41and the return port 25 in the valve housing 43. Disposed in the returnannular groove 61 in the sleeve valve 47 is a plurality of returnpassages 65 which provide fluid communication between the return annulargroove 61 and the internal bore 51 of the sleeve valve 47. In addition,the sleeve valve 47 defines a second annular groove 67 which is axiallyaligned with a second actuator fluid passage 69 in the valve housing 43.The second actuator fluid passage 69 in the valve housing 43 allows openfluid communication between the cartridge bore 41 and the secondactuator port 23. Disposed in the second annular groove 67 in the sleevevalve 47 is a plurality of second actuator passages 71 which providefluid communication between the second annular groove 67 and theinternal bore 51 of the sleeve valve 47.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 3, the spool valve 49 is disposed in theinternal bore 51 of the sleeve valve 47. The spool valve 49 defines anaxis 73, designated in FIG. 3 by a dashed line, which extendslongitudinally through the center of the spool valve 49. During manualactuation of the handle member 29 of the cartridge valve assembly 15,the spool valve 49 is displaced axially along the axis 73 within theinternal bore 51 of the sleeve valve 47 in a manner which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail. The spool valve 49 furtherdefines an internal cavity 75 which is in open fluid communication withan inlet fluid passage 76 (shown in FIG. 2) in the valve housing 43. Theinlet fluid passage 76 provides fluid communication between the inletport 19 and the cartridge bore 41 in the valve housing 43. As shown inthe figures, the internal cavity 75 has an opening on a first axial end77 of the spool valve 49. The spool valve 49 further defines a fluidpassage 79 which provides fluid communication from the internal cavity75 through a second axial end 81 of the spool valve 49. This fluidcommunication through the fluid passage 79 allows the spool valve 49 tobe axially pressure balanced so that axial movement of the spool valve49 is uninhibited by pressurized fluid from the inlet port 19.

The exterior surface of the spool valve 49 defines a first annular land83 disposed axially on the spool valve such that in the neutral position“N”, the first annular land 83 substantially blocks fluid flow throughthe plurality of first actuator passages 59 in the sleeve valve 47 fromentering the internal bore 51 of the sleeve valve 47. The exteriorsurface of the spool valve 49 further defines a second annular land 85which is disposed axially on the spool valve 49 such that in the neutralposition “N”, the second annular land 85 substantially blocks fluid flowthrough the plurality of second actuator passages 71 in the sleeve valve47 from entering the internal bore 51 of the sleeve valve 47. Adjacentthe second annular land 85 is an actuator annular groove 87 in which aredisposed a plurality of fluid ports 89 which communicate fluid from theinternal cavity 75 to the actuator annular groove 87. Also defined bythe spool valve 49 is a return annular groove 91 which is locatedaxially between the first annular land 83 and the second annular land85. The spool valve 49 further defines an inlet annular groove 93 whichis in open fluid communication with the fluid passage 76.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the end assembly 35 includes an adaptormember 95, a cap member 97, a lock member 99, and an actuation assembly,generally designated 101, which will be described in greater detailsubsequently. The adaptor member 95 includes a first axial end portion103 and a second axial end portion 105. The first axial end portion 103of the adaptor member 95 is in sealing threaded engagement with thesecond axial end portion 39 of the main body 31. The second axial endportion 105 of the adaptor member 95 is in sealing threaded engagementwith the cap member 97. The end assembly 35 defines an internal cavity107 with the first axial end portion 103 of the adaptor member 95providing the opening to the internal cavity 107 and the cap member 97providing the closed end of the internal cavity 107. Disposed within theinternal cavity 107 is the actuation assembly 101.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuation assembly 101 includes arotary member 109, a swing member 111, and a connecting member 113. Therotary member 109, which is disposed in the internal cavity 107 of theend assembly 35, defines an axis 115 (shown only in FIG. 5 as a dashedline). The orientation of the axis 115 of the rotary member 109 issubstantially perpendicular to the axis 73 of the spool valve 49. Therotary member 109, shown herein as being generally cylindrical in shape,further defines a first axial end portion 117 and a second axial endportion 119, and in the subject embodiment, it is preferred that the endportions 117 and 119 are substantially the same. The first axial endportion 117 extends through the outer surface of the cap member 97 andengages a handle rod 121. A retaining member 123, which is in threadedengagement with the handle rod 121, maintains the engagement of therotary member 109 and the handle rod 121. The second axial end portion119 of the rotary member 109 also extends through the outer surface ofthe cap member 97. A pair of retaining rings 125 maintains the axialposition of the rotary member 109 relative to the end assembly 35. Inthe subject embodiment, the first axial end portion 117 defines a firstseal groove 127 in which is disposed a first seal member 128. The secondaxial end portion 119 defines a second seal groove 129 in which isdisposed a second seal member 130. The first and second seal members 128and 130 prevent the egress of fluid from the internal cavity 107 to theexterior of the end assembly 35. It will be understood by those skilledin the art, however, that the first and second seal grooves 127 and 129,and the first and second seal members 128 and 130, could, as analternative embodiment, be disposed in the end assembly 35 to preventthe egress of fluid from the internal cavity 107 to the exterior of theend assembly 35.

The rotary member 109 rotates about the axis 115 when the handle member29 is manually actuated. With both the first and second axial endportions 117, 119, of the rotary member 109 being substantially equal indiameter and extending through the cap member 97, the rotary member 109is substantially axially pressure balanced with regard to fluid pressurein the internal cavity 107 of the end assembly 35. This pressurebalancing of the rotary member 109 allows the rotary member 109 to berotated about the axis 115 easily regardless of the fluid pressure thatis contained in the internal cavity 107 of the end assembly 35.

Referring now again to FIG. 5, the rotary member 109 further defines anotch 131 which is axially disposed between the first axial end portion117 and the second axial end portion 119. The notch 131 is engaged witha first bifurcated end 133 of the swing member 111. A retention member135 in threaded engagement with the first bifurcated end 133 of theswing member 111 maintains the engagement of the notch 131 and the firstbifurcated end 133.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the rotary member109 is shown. In this embodiment, only the first axial end portion 117extends through the outer surface of the cap member 97. The second axialend portion 119 is disposed within the cavity 107 of the end assembly35. In this embodiment, the second axial end portion defines the notch131 which is in engagement with the first bifurcated end 133 of theswing member 111. The retention member 135 is in threaded engagementwith the first bifurcated end 133 and maintains the engagement of thenotch 131 and the first bifurcated end 133. In order to prevent anyaxial movement of the rotary member 109, the retaining rings 125 aredisposed on the first axial end portion 117 of the rotary member 109.

Referring now again to FIG. 4, the swing member 111 includes a secondbifurcated end 137, the bifurcation of which is oriented perpendicularlyto the first bifurcated end 133. The second bifurcated end 137 of theswing member 111 is in engagement with a first end 139 of the connectingmember 113 by means of a pin member 141. The fit between the pin member141 and the second bifurcated end 137 of the swing member 111 is a tightfit, while the fit between the pin member 141 and the first end 139 ofthe connecting member 113 is a loose fit. The described fit arrangementof the pin member 141 allows for the connecting member 113 to rotateabout the pin member 141.

The connecting member 113 further defines a second end 143 which is inengagement with the second axial end 81 of the spool valve 49. Thesecond axial end 81 of the spool valve 49 is bifurcated with a hole (notshown) through the bifurcation. The second end 143 of the connectingmember 113 is in pinned engagement with the second axial end 81 of thespool valve 49. The fit between a pin member 145 and the second axialend 81 of the spool valve 49 is a tight fit, while the fit between thepin member 145 and the second end 143 of the connecting member 113 is aloose fit. The described fit arrangement of the pin member 145 allowsfor the connecting member 113 to pivot about the pin member 145.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the cartridge valve assembly 15 is shown in thefirst operating position, corresponding to the position shownschematically as “1” in FIG. 1. For ease of description, the firstoperating position “1” of the cartridge valve assembly 15 and theorientation of individual components related thereto will be describedin reference to the cartridge valve assembly 15 as pictured in FIG. 7.In the first operating position “1”, the handle member 29 is actuated tothe right causing the rotary member 109 to rotate about the axis 115(shown only in FIG. 5) in the clockwise direction. The rotation of therotary member 109 in the clockwise direction causes the swing member 111to rotate about the axis 115 in the clockwise direction. The rotation ofthe swing member 111 about the axis 115 in the clockwise directioncauses the second bifurcated end 137 of the swing member 111 to moveupward in FIG. 7. As previously described, the second bifurcated end 137of the swing member 111 is in pinned engagement with the first end 139of the connecting member 113. Therefore, as the second bifurcated end137 of the swing member 111 moves upward, the connecting member 113 alsomoves upward. As previously described, the second end 143 of theconnecting member 113 is in pinned engagement with the second axial end81 of the spool valve 49. Therefore, as the connecting member 113 movesupward, the spool valve 49 moves axially upward along the axis 73 of thespool valve 49.

In the first operating position “1”, inlet fluid from the inlet port 19flows into the interior cavity 75 of the spool valve 49. The fluid inthe interior cavity 75 then flows through the fluid passage 79 in thespool valve 49 and into the internal cavity 107 of the end assembly 35.As previously described, this fluid communication through the fluidpassage 79 of the spool valve 49 allows the spool valve 49 to be axiallypressure balanced so that axial movement of the spool valve 49 isuninhibited by pressurized fluid from the inlet port 19.

Inlet fluid from the inlet port 19 also flows into the inlet annulargroove 93 of the spool valve 49. The fluid then flows through the firstactuator passages 59 in the sleeve valve 47 and into the first annulargroove 55 in the sleeve valve 47. From the first annular groove 55, thefluid is communicated to the pressure-operated device 17 through thefirst actuator fluid passage 57 and the first actuator port 21 in thevalve housing 43.

Return fluid from the pressure-operated device 17 enters the valvehousing 43 through the second actuator port 23 and the second actuatorfluid passage 69. The fluid then enters the second annular groove 67 inthe sleeve valve 47. The fluid is communicated through the secondactuator passages 71 in the sleeve valve 47 to the return annular groove91 in the spool valve 49. From the return annular groove 91 in the spoolvalve 49, the fluid is communicated through return passages 65 in thesleeve valve 47 to the return port 25 in the valve housing 43 throughthe return annular groove 61 in the sleeve valve 47 and the return fluidpassage 63 in the valve housing 43.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the cartridge valve assembly 15 is shown in thesecond operating position, corresponding to the position shownschematically as “2” in FIG. 1. For ease of description, the secondoperating position “2” of the cartridge valve assembly 15 and theorientation of individual components related thereto will be describedin reference to the cartridge valve assembly 15 as pictured in FIG. 8.In the second operating position “2”, the handle member 29 is actuatedto the left causing the rotary member 109 to rotate about the axis 115(shown only in FIG. 5) in the counterclockwise direction. The rotationof the rotary member 109 in the counterclockwise direction causes theswing member 111 to rotate about the axis 115 in the counterclockwisedirection. The rotation of swing member 111 about the axis 115 in thecounterclockwise direction causes the second bifurcated end 137 of theswing member 111 to move downward in FIG. 8. As previously described,the second bifurcated end 137 of the swing member 111 is in pinnedengagement with the first end 139 of the connecting member 113.Therefore, as the second bifurcated end 137 of the swing member 111moves downward, the connecting member 113 also moves downward. Aspreviously described, the second end 143 of the connecting member 113 isin pinned engagement with the second axial end 81 of the spool valve 49.Therefore, as the connecting member 113 moves downward, the spool valve49 moves axially downward along the axis 73 of the spool valve 49.

In the second operating position “2”, inlet fluid from the inlet port 19flows into the interior cavity 75 of the spool valve 49. The fluid inthe interior cavity 75 then flows through the fluid passage 79 in thespool valve 49 and into the internal cavity 107 of the end assembly 35,thereby substantially pressure balancing the spool valve 49 in the samemanner as described in connection with the first operating position “1”.Fluid in the interior cavity 75 of the spool valve 49 also flows throughthe fluid ports 89 and into the actuator annular groove 87 in the spoolvalve 49. From the actuator annular groove 87 in the spool valve 49, thefluid flows through the second actuator passages 71 in the sleeve valve47 and to the second actuator port 23 in the valve housing 43 throughthe second annular groove 67 in the sleeve valve 47 and the secondactuator fluid passage 69 in the valve housing 43. From the secondactuator port 23, the fluid is communicated to the pressure-operateddevice 17.

Return fluid from the pressure-operated device 17 enters the valvehousing 43 through the first actuator port 21 and the first actuatorfluid passage 57. The fluid then enters the first annular groove 55 inthe sleeve valve 47. The fluid is communicated through the firstactuator passages 59 in the sleeve valve 47 to the return annular groove91 in the spool valve 49. From the return annular groove 91 in the spoolvalve 49, the fluid is communicated through return passages 65 in thesleeve valve 47 to the return port 25 in the valve housing 43 throughthe return annular groove 61 in the sleeve valve 47 and the return fluidpassage 63 in the valve housing 43.

Referring now to FIG. 9 with reference made to elements introduced inFIG. 3, the movement of the handle member 29 from the neutral position“N” to either the first operating position “1” or the second operatingposition “2” defines a plane of movement 147 which is substantiallyparallel to the axis 73 of the spool valve 49. Since the cap member 97is in threaded engagement with the adaptor member 95, the orientation ofthe plane of movement 147 of the handle member 29 is rotatable about theaxis 73 of the spool valve 49. Therefore, after multiple cartridge valveassemblies 15 are mounted in a multi-valve valve housing 43, the planeof movement 147 corresponding to each handle member 29 of each cartridgevalve assembly 15 may be oriented to a desired plane of orientation 149,shown in FIG. 9 as a dotted line, by rotating the cap member 97 withrespect to the adaptor member 95. FIG. 9 illustrates a valve housing 43capable of housing three cartridge valve assemblies 15. In FIG. 9, byway of example only, the plane of movement 147 of the handle member 29of the cartridge valve assembly 15 located in the center of the threecartridge valve assemblies 15 is not in the desired plane of orientation149. However, the plane of movement 147 can be rotated to the desiredplane of orientation 149 by rotating the cap member 97 with respect tothe adaptor member 95 by an angle α. After the desired position of theplane of movement 147 is obtained, the lock member 99 of the endassembly 35 which is in threaded engagement with the cap member 97 istightened to restrict any further rotation of the plane of movement 147from the desired position. It is important to note that while thelocking member 99 prevents further rotation of the plane of movement147, it does not prevent actuation of the cartridge valve assembly 15once the plane of movement 147 is co-planar with the desired plane oforientation 149. While in the present embodiment the lock member 99 isshown as a threaded lock nut, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the particularlock member 99 as shown.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the cartridgevalve assembly 15 is shown. In this embodiment, the first axial endportion 103 of the adaptor member 95 is in engagement with the secondaxial end portion 39 of the main body 31 through the use of a“snap-to-connect” connection arrangement 151. General types ofsnap-to-connect connectors are illustrated and described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,553,895, 5,570,910, 6,494,494, and 6,592,151, assigned to theassignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference,and therefore will not be described in great detail herein. However, asused herein, and in the appended claims, the term “snap-to-connect” willbe used to mean not only those connections defined in the incorporatedpatents, but also any connections which are made by pushing a threadlessmale end into a threadless female end, the retention of which isaccomplished by a snap ring arrangement. In this embodiment, the firstand second axial end portions 117, 119, respectively, of the rotarymember 109 extend through the outer surface of the adaptor member 95. Inaddition, an alternate engagement arrangement is shown for the rotarymember 109 and the swing member 111. In this embodiment, the firstbifurcated end 133 of the swing member 111 defines a thru hole 153 and athreaded hole 155. The notch 131 of the rotary member 109 also defines athru hole 157. A pin member 159 passes through the thru hole 153 in thefirst bifurcated end 133 of the swing member 111 and the thru hole 157in the notch 131 of the rotary member 109 and threads into the threadedhole 155 in the first bifurcated end 133 of the swing member 111. Thelock member 99 serves the same function as previously described,however, in this embodiment, the lock member 99 is in threadedengagement with the adaptor member 95, rather than being in threadedengagement with the cap member 97 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2through 8.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an alternate embodiment of the actuationassembly 101 is shown. In this embodiment, the swing member 111 includesthe first bifurcated end 133 which is in pinned engagement with thenotch 131 of the rotary member 109, and a second end 161 which includesa set of external splines 163. The external splines 163 are in splinedengagement with a set of external splines 165 disposed on the secondaxial end 81 of the spool valve 49. Therefore, when the handle member 29is actuated, the rotary member 109 rotates about the axis 115, causingthe swing member 111 to rotate about the axis 115, as well. The rotationof the swing member 111 about the axis 115 and the splined engagement ofthe external splines 163 of the swing member 111 and the external spines165 of the spool valve 49 cause the spool valve 49 to be axiallydisplaced along the axis 73.

The invention has been described in great detail in the foregoingspecification, and it is believed that various alterations andmodifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from a reading and understanding of the specification. It isintended that all such alterations and modifications are included in theinvention, insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A cartridge valve assembly adapted to be disposed in a valve housingdefining a cartridge bore, an inlet port, and a return port; saidcartridge valve assembly including a main body and a valve portion; saidvalve portion including a sleeve valve fixed within said cartridge bore,and a spool valve disposed within said sleeve valve for axial movementtherein; a spring member operably associated with said spool valve tobias said spool valve within said sleeve valve toward a neutral axialposition; an end assembly including a cap member and a manual actuationmember moveable from a neutral position, corresponding to said neutralaxial position of said spool valve to an operating position; said endassembly defining an internal cavity; said end assembly furtherincluding a rotary member disposed in said internal cavity; said endassembly being in sealing engagement with said main body of saidcartridge valve assembly; said end assembly being rotatable about anaxis of said spool valve of said cartridge valve assembly; characterizedby: (a) an axis of said rotary member being substantially perpendicularto said axis of said spool valve; (b) at least one axial end of saidrotary member extending through the outer surface of said end assembly;(c) said rotary member being rotationally operable about said axis ofsaid rotary member and including means operable to axially displace saidspool valve within said sleeve valve from said neutral axial position toan operating axial position; (d) said movement of said manual actuationmember defines a plane of movement that is parallel to said axis of saidspool valve; (e) said plane of movement of said manual actuation memberbeing selectively rotatable about said axis of said spool valve of saidcartridge valve assembly to a desired orientation; and (f) a lockingmeans being selectively operably associated with said end assembly torestrict rotation of said plane of movement.
 2. A cartridge valveassembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said first axial endextending through the outer surface of said cap member.
 3. A cartridgevalve assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said first axialend and a second axial end extending through the outer surface of saidend assembly.
 4. A cartridge valve assembly as claimed in claim 3,characterized by said first axial end and said second axial endextending through the outer surface of said cap member.
 5. A cartridgevalve assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized by said rotarymember being substantially axially pressure balanced.
 6. A cartridgevalve assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said lockingmeans being in threaded engagement with said cap member.
 7. A cartridgevalve assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said lockingmeans being in threaded engagement with an adaptor member, a first axialend of which is disposed in sealing engagement with said main body.
 8. Acartridge valve assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized by saidengagement of said first axial end of said adaptor member and said mainbody being of a snap-to-connect type.
 9. A cartridge valve assembly asclaimed in claim 1, characterized by an actuation assembly, which isdisposed in said internal cavity of said end assembly, being operablyassociated with said rotary member and said spool valve.
 10. A cartridgevalve assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized by said actuationassembly including a swing member defining a first axial end, being inengagement with said rotary member, and a second axial end beingoperably associated with said spool valve.
 11. A cartridge valveassembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized by said second axial endof said swing member being in engagement with a connecting member, whichis operably associated with said spool valve.
 12. A cartridge valveassembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized by said second axial endof said swing member defining external splines which are operablyassociated with said spool valve.